Hon. Lota Manalo, the Mayor of Lobo, Batangas, held a press conference yesterday, November 28, 2023, in response to the notice of violation and closure order issued against ERC.
According to the report from the Joint Inspection Team of the municipality, ERC has been operating a Satellite Office (crushing plant) in Brgy. Poblacion and a Batching Plant in Brgy. Mabilog na Bundok without the required Mayor’s/Business Permit.
The operation, led by Mr. Leandro M. Canuel, the Department Head I of the Treasurer’s Office in the Municipal Government, found that the owner of ERC was not present in any of the offices. Closure Order letters were handed to employees at both facilities, but they declined to comment on the situation.
The Head Office of ERC, upon receiving the notice, refused to acknowledge it and did not provide any remarks to the Joint Inspection team.
Mayor Manalo disclosed that the location of the Satellite Office in Brgy. Poblacion is a government property that once had a lease contract, which expired last year, in 2022, and was not renewed. The batching plant, on the other hand, is currently under scrutiny for violating zoning regulations and operating without the required permit.
She recalled, “FS Suntan was the one with a contract with the local government for dredging, and within some time, the rights were transferred to ERC.”
Additionally, “a deed of assignment in the national permit was issued by the DENR to ERC,” but it does not reflect in the office records.
The Mayor asked the DENR-MGB (Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Mines and Geosciences Bureau), ‘Gaano katagal maubos ang stock pile?‘ The DENR-MGB consents to ERC continuing its operation of stockpiles even though the business’s ISAG (Industrial Sand and Gravel) permit expired last September 4.
The local government has also received reports that water irrigation for paddy fields is not functioning well due to over-dredging. Additionally, complaints from residents in the area about air and noise pollution affecting their health conditions have become a concern for the Office of the Mayor.
After the clearance of materials and machines, the land will be used and will be converted into a community park sponsored by Senator Peter Allan Cayetano for the locals to enjoy.
The Office of the Mayor of Lobo, Batangas, stands firm in its decision and expects the immediate closure of ERC’s Batching Plant and Satellite Office.
As of now, the ERC has not yet provided clarification or presented their perspective on this matter.
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